Zel Bautista

Last updated
Zel Bautista
Born
Ronzel Benedict Bautista

Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2007–present
Labels Tower of Doom
Member of
Spouse
Patricia Cruz
​
(m. 2023)​
Website zelbautista.com

Ronzel Benedict Bautista is a Filipino musician known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the rock band December Avenue. He also launched a solo project under the moniker Above Velvet Air, which debuted with the independently released single "Close to Me" (2025). [1]

Contents

Career

Bautista began his music career in 2007 as a founding member of December Avenue, a band formed while he was studying at the University of Santo Tomas. Along with fellow students from the UST's Conservatory of Music, Jem Manuel on lead guitar, Don Gregorio on bass, and Jet Danao on drums, while Bautista served as the band's vocalist and guitarist. [2]

In 2018, the band collaborated with Moira Dela Torre on the single "Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw" (lit. 'If It Couldn't Be You'), was later featured in the 2019 film Hello, Love, Goodbye . In the same year, they released their second studio album Langit Mong Bughaw , which compiled several of their previously released tracks from 2017. [3] [4]

In 2024, Bautista collaborated with the band Gracenote on the single "Balang Araw ay Mapapangiti" (lit. 'Someday You Will Smile'), was released under EMI Records Philippines. [5]

In 2025, Bautista introduced his solo project under the moniker Above Velvet Air, marking a new chapter in his musical journey. The project debuted with the independently released single "Close to Me". [1] In November, Bautista is set to headline his own solo concert tour in Canada. Announced as The Velvet Tour, the schedule lists shows in Calgary on November 8, followed by McMurray on November 13 and Edmonton on November 15, before wrapping up with a final date in Montreal on November 23. [6]

Personal life

In 2023, Bautista married Patricia Cruz. [7] They had a first child was born in 2024. [8]

Discography

Singles

As solo artist (Above Velvet Air)

List of singles as solo artist, showing year released and album name
TitleYear PHL Album
"Close to Me"2025—Non-single album
"Moon Song"—
"Of Anchor and Fire"—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Collaborations

List of collaborative singles
TitleYear PHL Artist(s)Album
"Balang Araw ay Mapapangiti"2024— Gracenote and Zel Bautista—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

References

  1. 1 2 Pareño, Elijah (2025-02-14). "December Avenue's Zel Bautista Unveils 'Above Velvet Air'". Rolling Stone Philippines. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  2. ↑ Gil, Baby A. "The triumph of December Avenue". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  3. ↑ Go, Mayks (2025-02-26). "December Avenue's "Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-Ibig" Enters The PH Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  4. ↑ Salterio, Leah C. "December Avenue renews ties with director Paolo Valenciano". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  5. ↑ "Gracenote, Zel Bautista of December Avenue collaborate for 'Balang Araw ay Mapapangiti'". GMA Network. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  6. ↑ "December Avenue's Zel Bautista all set for solo Canada concert tour". ABS-CBN. 2025-08-21. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  7. ↑ "December Avenue release new single 'In My Arms Is Where I'll Keep You' on vocalist Zel Bautista's wedding day – listen". Bandwagon Asia. December 15, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  8. ↑ "December Avenue's Zel Bautista reflects on humble beginnings in heartfelt post". ABS-CBN . October 9, 2025. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
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